I enter my home office and shut the door. I throw my coat down on a chair and unbutton my shirt sleeves, rolling them up. I sit down and eye the thick stack of paperwork sitting in the middle of my desk. More work when I just got home from business in Hamsall. No matter, even if important it can wait. I've been away from home about 2 weeks, I need to be briefed on how things were here. These business dealings can be exhausting and this one was no different.

Even when I've given sufficient evidence I stay true to our deal, there are always those few rotten bunch that are determined to stay true to that deplorable and outdated tradition. Still, I'm glad I have sway over the main populous. And I'm eternally grateful for the good Doctor Faum's connections to the rest of the world. I couldn't save nearly as many children as I do if it wasn't for him. But God the smell of blood was still lingering when I reached the village.

I grit my teeth as there's a knock on my door.

"Permission to enter Sir?"

"Of course Doctor."

He enters and closes the door behind him. He nervously fiddles with his coat.

"No need to be anxious, old friend. How was everything while I was gone?"

"The little one's fever broke night before last. She's still resting but should be up within the week."

"Fantastic news! When will she be okay to travel?"

I pull out paper and a pen, waiting for Edward's information.

"Not for at least another month. I know you want to get her to her family quickly but her condition was serious. I'd like to monitor her longer. Regaining an appetite is another thing altogether from being about to travel such a long distance."

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"Disappointing but you are the expert. Better safe than sorry, I guess. I'll send word to her family immediately. Poor souls have been so worried. She's headed to a good home, we can be sure of that."

Doctor Faum nods and chews on his bottom lip. I tense and lay down my pen.

"Edward, you're making me anxious."

He takes a deep breath and exhales.

"There's something I'd like to bring to your attention. I need you to stay calm and not raise your blood press-"

"I'm sure I don't need to remind you that I am, in fact, dead and there's no chance of me raising anything other than my voice."

"Sometimes I forget."

"I highly doubt that, Doctor."

"I was sure Thaddeus was supposed to be here by now.."

"I've known you for years and you've never been worried before. I think I'd feel quite hurt if you start fearing me now."

"It's about Miss Cyan."

As if on cue my dear friend slams open the door and walks in with Coen behind him. I rub my temples.

"An invitation Thad. Even a warning before you bust into rooms. Good evening to you both."

Coen nods silently and takes a seat on the sofa in the back of the office.

"Sorry, Genesis I was running late. Doc wanted me here to talk to you."

"Yes, he mentioned Cyan before you interrupted. I hope she hasn't somehow caught what the little one has."

"No Sir. Thaddeus discovered a troubling injury after you left. She was trying and succeeding in hiding it."

"What injury?"

"Miss Cyan was concealing a dislocated shoulder and a broken arm. No doubt she was in agonizing pain, unable to use the arm. She's lucky the untreated dislocation didn't cause any trauma to her nerves or blood vessels. Same with the break, in addition to muscle and ligament trauma."

I fold my hands on my desk in an attempt to stay calm.

"Any idea of when and how she received these injuries?"

"It must have occurred either the day of or after you left for your trip. Thaddeus discovered it last week and Miss Cyan admitted to me she received the injuries a week before. Of course, she didn't offer either of us any explanation of how she received them. However, we did notice a rather large bruise wrapping around her wrist. I'm not one to speculate myself..."

Doctor Faum trails off and glances over to Thad.

"Which is why Thad is here, correct? You can go, Edward. Thank you."

The Doctor bows and quickly exits my office, closing the door behind him.